CHAPTER 25

 

Michael sees God sitting on the ground, back against a chained link fence. Small cardboard sign lies against a stack of bricks that says, "I still am God, but I will work for food."

"So here you are. I thought God was dead."

"I am in general. Certain individuals refuse to be marched into history. They would rather exist beyond time. It fucks up my business. I got to eat. And do I look like I want to be changed into a woman. I'm not going to be a bird with clipped wings. Nor am I changing religion. The old guard will return."

"Maybe you'd want to consider taking a bath first," Michael said fanning at the air in front of him.

"Some of us like to imagine there's Heaven or Hell. I hate unemployment. Don't have any food in that knapsack do you?"

"No, just memories I haven't let go of yet," Michael replied.

"Folks gave up god so they could give themselves permission to be sexual degenerates."

"Deconstructing your prison system has not been an easy task. These religions you were hiding in have really cracked a few minds, burned a few witches, castrated a few shamans and staked a few heretics."

"Man wasn't bored."

"No, they were dead."

"No, you dislocated them from their true selves."

"I am what they asked for."

"I noticed you shaved the beard and your throne is a piece of a concrete block."

"Sexual distinction was necessary. What is man without drama? I gave him purpose. With me as god, man was slightly above animals."

"Yes, I noticed you cast yourself in dual roles, God and Devil."

"I had my shining moments."

"Well, liberation from you is still in progress. I am promoting androgynous sexual exploration."

"Playing with oneself has limiting range of satisfaction. You will see my system is way better."

"I am not afraid of losing myself or identity. At least I am not a program in a machine."

"I've lost my identity and so will you. I think there's enough space next to me."